C-Suite Executives are Targeted for Breaches in Data Security: A DELL Survey Report

ROUND ROCK, TX: According to the first Dell Data security report, while the C-suite executives recognize the benefits of data security, organizations are still struggling to develop programmes that effectively implement security strategies without detracting from other business initiatives. In addition, the survey found that security concerns are limiting the adoption of cloud and mobility solutions throughout organizations.

In 2015, Dell commissioned a survey to obtain a comprehensive look at how decision makers in the mid-market as well as the C-Suite level view data security trends and the impact these are having on their businesses.

Dissension between C-suite and IT teams

Data security has become a priority for C-suite executives, however 67% of IT teams feel executives are not budgeting enough.

Nearly three in four decision makers agree that data security is a priority for their organization’s C-suite; however, one in four decision makers don’t find their C-suite to be adequately informed about data security issues. Three in four decision makers say their C-suite plans to increase current security measures, and more than half expect to spend more money on data security in the next five years. Cost is a concern when it comes to building on existing programme, with 53% of respondents citing cost constraints for why they don’t anticipate adding additional security features in the future.

Lack of business support limiting data security programmes

According to the report the barriers to fine-tuning data security programme is lack of investment in streamlined technologies.

58% of decision makers believe that organization is adversely affected by the shortage of trained security professionals, 76% believe their solutions would be less burdensome if provided through a single vendor.

Malware and weaponised attacks key causes for concern

The report shows that respondents remain highly concerned about malware, despite the fact that most have anti-malware solutions in place.

73% of decision makers are somewhat to very concerned about malware and advanced persistent threats. Only one in five respondents is confident in their ability to protect against sophisticated malware attacks. Respondents are more worried about spear phishing attacks.

Protecting data by limiting employ mobility

The common narrative is that all offices are becoming more mobile, but according to the report, 82% of decision makers have attempted to limit data access points to enhance security 69% of respondents say they are still willing to sacrifice individual devices to protect their company against a data breach, yet 57% of respondents are still concerned about the quality of encryption used by their company.

Public clouds still posing data security concern

8 percent of decision makers have restricted access to public cloud sites within their organization due to security concerns. Nearly four in five respondents are concerned with uploading critical data to the cloud, and 58 percent are actually more concerned than they were a year ago.

“Security programs must enable employees to be both secure and productive, and this means enabling technology that helps them do their jobs,” says Hansen. “Companies can try to limit or prohibit public cloud use, but it’s more effective to use intelligent data encryption to protect corporate data wherever it may go, and reduce the risk of employees working around restrictive policies in order to be productive.”